The history of surnames in Cyprus reflects the island’s diverse cultural and historical influences, blending elements from Greek, Byzantine, Frankish, Venetian, Ottoman, British, and other periods of rule. Surnames in Cyprus are not just identifiers; they are carriers of lineage, heritage, and social status, reflecting a unique blend of tradition and local adaptation.
Byzantine period (330-1191 AD)
Greek surnames in Cyprus began to take their more recognizable modern forms during the Byzantine era. Before this period, people were often identified by a single name and a patronymic or a descriptive nickname. For instance, someone might be called “Giorgos, son of Andreas” or “Michalis the Tall”.
The Byzantine Empire’s administrative needs and the increasing complexity of social structures necessitated more permanent and hereditary surnames. Many of these early surnames were derived from personal names, often those of a notable ancestor, creating patronymic surnames. For example, a man named Petros might have descendants with the surname Petrides, meaning “son of Petros.”
Frankish and Venetian rule (1192-1571 AD)
During the Frankish and Venetian periods, the structure and usage of surnames in Cyprus evolved further. The Franks and Venetians brought their own naming conventions, which sometimes blended with local customs. This period saw the introduction of surnames that denoted land ownership, noble titles, or professions. For example, a family owning a particular estate might take on the name of that estate as their surname. Many Cypriot families adopted Italian-style surnames, often ending in “ i ” or “ o “. Some common surnames from this period include variations of Venetian names or surnames modified to fit the local language.
Ottoman period (1571-1878)
During the Ottoman era, Turkish surnames as we understand them today were not in common use. Instead, individuals were often identified by a combination of personal names and descriptive elements such as the father’s name, place of origin, occupation, or a characteristic trait. For instance, a man named Mehmet, whose father was Ali and who worked as a blacksmith in Nicosia, might be referred to as Mehmet Ali oğlu (Mehmet, son of Ali) or Mehmet Demirci (Mehmet the Blacksmith).
These descriptive names were informal and fluid, changing with circumstances or notable events in an individual’s life. The lack of standardized surnames during this period reflects broader Ottoman naming practices, which emphasized lineage and community over individual family names.
While the Ottoman administration was relatively tolerant of local customs, there was a noticeable influence on Greek names. Some Greek families adopted Turkish-style surnames or adapted their names to fit into the Ottoman bureaucratic system. For example, the prefix “Haji-” was sometimes added to the surnames of those who had completed a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, a practice that continued even after Ottoman rule ended.
British rule (1878-1960)
The British period, beginning in 1878, brought further changes. The British administration, with its emphasis on records and formal documentation, reinforced the use of fixed surnames. It was during this period that many Cypriots began using their surnames more consistently in public and official documents. The British influence also led to the standardization of surnames in terms of spelling and usage, making them more uniform across different regions of Cyprus.
Modern period (1960-Present)
In contemporary Cyprus, Greek surnames continue to be an essential part of identity and heritage. The traditional practice of handling down surnames from generation to generation remains prevalent, though modern influence and legal reforms have introduced some changes. In the unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Turkish surnames are carried by the majority of the population.
Today, toponymic surnames are a common feature of Greek Cypriot identity. They serve as a link to ancestral origins and reflect the rich tapestry of the island’s history.
Examples of Cypriot surnames
Cypriot surnames of Greek origin
The island's largest ethnolinguistic community, making around three quarters of the total population of the island, share a common ethnicity, heritage, language, and religion with Greeks. This makes many Greek surnames found commonly be found in Cyprus as well. However, there are some surnames that are more common in Cyprus, especially those of toponymic origin.
- Papadopoulos - This surname means "son of the priest" (Papás means priest in Greek, and the suffix -opoulos means son of).
- Georgiou - This surname means "son of George" (with George being a common name deriving from the Greek word for farmer, γεωργός/georgós).
- Andreou - This means "son of Andreas" (Andreas is a common Greek name meaning manly or brave).
- Christodoulou - This means "servant of Christ" (Christós means Christ, and doulos means servant or slave).
- Ioannou - This surname means "son of Ioannis" (Ioannis is the Greek form of John).
- Kyriakou - This surname means "son of Kyriakos" (Kyriakos means "of the Lord" or "Sunday" in Greek).
- Michaelides - This means "son of Michael" (Michael is a common Greek name).
- Nicolaou - This surname means "son of Nicolas" (Nicolas means "victory of the people" from nike = victory, and laos = people).
- Soteriou - This means "of the savior" (Soterios means savior).
- Ekonomou - This surname is derived from the word "oikonomos," meaning "steward" or "household manager."
- Hadjis - This prefix indicates a pilgrimage, often to Jerusalem. It's added to the surname of someone who has made such a journey.
- Pavlou - This means "son of Pavlos" (Pavlos is the Greek form of Paul).
- Lazarou - This surname means "son of Lazaros" (Lazaros is the Greek form of Lazarus).
- Antoniou - This means "son of Antonios" (Antonios is the Greek form of Anthony).
- Charalambou - This means "joy and light" (from chara = joy and lampo = to shine).
Cypriot surnames of toponymic origin
- Paphitis (Παφίτης): Derived from Paphos, a city on the southwest coast of Cyprus. The surname indicates origin from Paphos.
- Larnakis (Λαρνακίς): Derived from Larnaca, a city on the southern coast of Cyprus. This surname signifies that the family comes from Larnaca.
- Limassolis (Λεμεσολίτης): From Limassol, a major city on the southern coast of Cyprus. It denotes someone who is originally from Limassol.
- Kyprianou (Κυπριανού): Derived from the word "Kypros" (Cyprus). This surname means "of Cyprus" or "from Cyprus."
- Lapithiotis (Λαπηθιώτης): From Lapithos, a town in the Kyrenia District. The surname signifies origin from Lapithos.
- Famagustis (Αμμοχωστής): From Famagusta, a city on the east coast of Cyprus. This surname indicates origin from Famagusta.
- Karpasiotis (Καπαρσιώτης): From Karpasia, a region in the northeastern part of Cyprus. This surname denotes someone from Karpasia.
- Lefkaritis (Λευκαρίτης): Derived from Lefkara, a village in the Larnaca District known for its lace and silver handicrafts. The surname indicates origin from Lefkara.
- Sotirou (Σωτήρου): Derived from Sotira, a village in the Famagusta District. This surname signifies origin from Sotira.
- Athienitis (Αθηαινίτης): From Athienou, a village in the Larnaca District. It indicates that the family comes from Athienou.
Cypriot surnames of Turkish origin
It is important to take into account that the use of surnames was not required in Turkish-speaking regions until after the Ottoman Empire collapsed and the modern Turkish Republic was established in 1923, so Turkish surnames are a relatively recent phenomenon. Before this, Turks used patronymic hereditary names, in which a person's name was based on a handle derived from their father's name (e.g., Murat oğlu Ömer, meaning Ömer, the son of Murat) or a descriptive professional title (e.g., Pasha or Bey). More affluent or influential Turks, like Kaytazzade Mehmet Nazım, used the Iranian prefix "zade," which means "born, son."
- Öztürk: This surname means "pure Turk" or "true Turk." It reflects a sense of ethnic pride and heritage.
- Kaya: Translating to "rock" or "stone," this surname signifies strength and resilience.
- Yılmaz: Meaning "undefeated" or "fearless," this surname is often given to individuals who are seen as brave and resilient.
- Çelik: This surname means "steel," symbolizing strength and durability.
- Aslan: Meaning "lion," it denotes courage and bravery.
- Demir: Translating to "iron," it signifies strength and toughness.
- Kara: This surname means "black" and can symbolize power, mystery, or resilience.
- Aksoy: Meaning "pure lineage" or "pure ancestry," this surname reflects pride in one's heritage.
- Güneş: Translating to "sun," it symbolizes brightness, warmth, and positivity.
- Aydın: This surname means "enlightened" or "educated," reflecting a value placed on knowledge and wisdom.
Cypriot surnames of Armenian origin
Since the sixth century, there has been a recorded presence of Armenians in Cyprus, with the community's numbers increasing slowly after Armenian political and economic immigrants have arrived fleeing events like the civil wars in Lebanon, Ethiopia and Syria, the Islamic revolution in Iran, the Iran–Iraq War, as well disasters like the Spitak earthquake in Armenia in 1988. Some of these Armenian Cypriot surnames are:
- Demirdjian - derived from the turkish word demir, which means "iron"; the turkish suffix -ci serves to identify a profession, thus meaning "blacksmith".
- Gobalian - meaning "baton holder", which indicates the original bearer must have been a guard.
- Yepremian - a surname derived from the male given name Yeprem, which means "to arise".[1]. The surname may be given to someone whose father is a priest who became an Archpriest with the blessing of the Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Cypriot surnames of Ligurian (Genoese) origin
While the Republic of Genoa did not officially conquer Cyprus at any point, they were essentially the island's de facto rulers from 1372 to 1464.[2] This in turn, left a mark on some family names in the island.
- Cornaro (Cornari) - A prominent noble family originally from Genoa, the Cornaro family had significant influence in Cyprus. The family name may have evolved locally into variations like Kornarou.
- Domenicos - This name, deriving from the Italian given name "Domenico," could have origins linked to the Genoese presence in Cyprus. It may have transformed into "Domenicos" over time.
- Moreno - While a common Italian surname, in Cyprus, it could indicate Genoese roots. The name might have been adapted into Cypriot forms or retained in its original form.
- Gatto - Another surname of Italian origin that could have connections to the Genoese settlers. The name might be seen in forms like Gattos in Cyprus.
- Kastro - Similar to the Italian di Castro, indicating someone from a fortified place or castle. In Cyprus, it may appear as Kastrou or "Castro".
- Zeno (Zenon) - A name with Venetian and Genoese ties, which could have been adopted by Cypriot families during Genoese rule. Zenon is a common adaptation in Cyprus.
Cypriot of Venetian origin
From 1489, when the independent Kingdom of Cyprus came to an end, until the Ottoman Empire conquered the island in 1571, the island of Cyprus was an overseas possession of the Republic of Venice.[3] This has left its mark on a significant number of Cypriot surnames, especially among the Latin Catholic cypriots.
- Grimani: Another noble Venetian family, the Grimani had members who held important positions in Cyprus during the Venetian period.
- Dandolo: This surname is from a prominent Venetian family. The Dandolo family produced several Doges of Venice and were influential in the Mediterranean, including Cyprus.
- Morosini: The Morosini family was another significant Venetian family whose members held various titles and roles throughout the Venetian Empire, including Cyprus.
- Giustiniani: This surname comes from a Venetian family that had historical ties to Cyprus and other parts of the Venetian Empire.
Celebrities of Cypriot origin
- George Michael (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou), British singer-songwriter and founder of the pop duo Wham!
- Stelios Haji-Ioannou, Greek Cypriot entrepreneur, founder of EasyJet
- Ada Nicodemou, Australian actress
- Anna Vissi, Greek Cypriot singer and songwriter
- Ziynet Sali, British/Turkish Cypriot singer-songwriter
- Leon Redbone, Armenian Cypriot singer-songwriter, born Dickran Gobalian.
See also
- Cyprus
- Cypriot birth records
- Greek surnames
- Turkish surnames
- British surnames
- Italian surnames
- Arabic surnames
- Venetian surnames
- Ligurian surnames
- Apulian surnames
- Armenian surnames
- Cypriot military records
- Cypriot church records
- Cypriot emigration
- Sephardic Jewish surnames
- Greek American surnames
- Canadian surnames
- New Zealand surnames
- American surnames
- French surnames
- Dutch surnames
Explore more about Cypriot surnames
- Cyprus vital records at MyHeritage
- Who's Who of Cyprus & Notable Cypriots project dashboard at Geni
References
- ↑ Yepremian last name popularity, history, and meaning
- ↑ The forgotten Genoese rule in Cyprus
- ↑ Venetian period. The Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia.